Management Practices

Shouldn’t we place more value on our values?

June 10, 2020
Q: We have our company’s core values plastered all over the place, but little by little you can sense that they’re being pushed aside in the name of profit and expediency. This has happened in more than one place I’ve worked. How do I call attention to this without seeming like a complainer or a troublemaker? I can just hear it now: “That’s what you’re bothering us with?”

Lead with and through enthusiasm

February 13, 2020
Are you enthusiastic about your organization, its products or services, and your role as a manager and leader? Just as you set an example in your work, try setting one with your attitude.

5 work ideals that are disappearing

November 20, 2019
The workplace is constantly changing—or should be changing—to adapt to new trends, technology and shifts in business. Jacob Morgan, a keynote speaker, author and futurist who focuses on the workplace, believes that the following old-school workplace ideals are on their way out.

Which meetings are worthwhile? A test

September 26, 2019
Here’s a revolutionary way to determine which meetings are truly worthwhile: Cancel all formal meetings for a month.

When a leader falls ill

September 12, 2019
Realistically, this situation may create uncertainty, and it does present possible risk to employees and shareholders. The fear of loss is real.

It’s playtime! The benefits of desktop toys and gadgets

August 9, 2019
While your office needn’t resemble a 5-year-old’s playroom, a carefully chosen toy or two can prove beneficial. Here’s a look at some items people keep around and the purposes they serve.

The problem with org charts

August 8, 2019
Does your company use an org chart? If it does, have you ever considered the demotivational effect of being regularly exposed to a hierarchical visual?

Organizational agility: The essential 21st century mandate

July 11, 2019
In a world of constant disruption, organizational agility has become essential for long-term growth and sustainability. It involves seeking out new information, driving innovation and embracing change in a collaborative way.

Once, Sears was the whole world

June 13, 2019
While the Amazon model is unique and modern, there have certainly been other companies that have strived to be all things to all people. In 1908, that company was Sears.

Don’t worry about motivation; hire self-motivated people instead

April 22, 2019
There’s a philosophy out there that you can motivate almost anyone to do their job. It implies we can motivate someone, as well as take away their motivation. Although this viewpoint is typically well-intended, it is counterproductive to greater success.